Heloise

Dear Heloise: I’ve been having issues with my underwear getting stained, and I’ve tried bleach to get the stains out. The bleach would damage the elasticity and render them too loose to wear, so from now on, I just use a smaller bowl and only soak the stained portion. — Johnny B., in Long Beach, California

SEND A GREAT HINT TO:

Heloise@Heloise.com

A VERY LONG TRIP TO EARTH

Dear Heloise: In response to Jerry, in Nebraska, who saw a UFO: impossible! The closest star is Alpha Centauri, which is about 4 light years away. Traveling at a decent speed means a trip of a few hundred years. How can anyone make such a trip without food, water or sunshine? — Anthony T., via email

Anthony, I don’t know if there’s life out there in space. If there is, who can say whether or not they’ve been visiting us? Just keep an open mind. The universe is full of strange things. — Heloise

LIFESAVING WHISTLE

Dear Heloise: When I was growing up, our family camped all the time. During one trip in a very remote forest in Canada, I was 5 years old, and my cousin and I got lost in the woods. Thankfully, we were found safe that same day, but my father immediately went to a store and bought whistles for all of us kids. We were required to wear them at all times from then on when camping.

When I hear of stories on the news of lost children in these situations, I always want to tell the adults to use this simple life-saving hint. Teach the kids to stay put in one place and use the whistle. I pray that this will help save lives. — L.J.N., in Jacksonville, Florida

L.J.N., this is a great idea. Sometimes the simplest idea can save a life.

When I was a kid, I went to a camp near the Great Lakes that had a “buddy system.” If you went into the woods or the lake, they blew a whistle and shouted “buddy” every 15 minutes. You had to grab your buddy’s hand and hold it up in the air. No one drowned or got lost. Best of all, it taught us to look out for other people. — Heloise

SHOWER SAFELY

Dear Heloise: For those who are remodeling or building their home, I suggest incorporating the traditional small shower stall into your plans. The new larger open designs are spectacular, but they can also be more dangerous for elders who experience dizziness or balance issues. Having a nearby wall to lean on or a bar close by to grab onto can be a lifesaver. Thanks from an 81-year-old dizzy elder. — Jim, via email

Jim, there are also shower stools so that people can sit down and shower. They can be bought online or from a medical supply store. — Heloise

BUTTER BELL

Dear Heloise: I have kept my butter in a butter bell (French butter crock) for years. I love having soft butter any time that I want. All I have to do is replace the water several times a week. — Sandy R., in Tucson, Arizona

READ THE NEWS IN LARGE PRINT

Dear Heloise: In response to the gentleman who wants a physical newspaper and is afraid to read one on his computer because he might spill his coffee on it: If he has a newer TV and a computer with HDMI connections, he can connect his computer to the TV and view the computer screen on the TV. — Marilyn Davis, via email